Free period products extended to WA TAFE students

Students at all Western Australian TAFE colleges will soon have access to free period products.

The move expands the State Government's commitment to provide free sanitary products in more than 220 public schools.

The initiative will be rolled out this year at the five WA TAFE colleges; North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE, Central Regional TAFE, North Regional TAFE and South Regional TAFE.

The 2021 Bloody Big Survey found 48 per cent of the 125,000 respondents had missed a class due to their period.

"Period products are not a luxury, they are a necessity, so it makes sense that the State Government is supplying them for free in our TAFEs as well as in our schools," Training Minister Simone McGurk said.

"By making pads and tampons readily available and free in our TAFEs, we are challenging a long-standing stigma and removing a barrier to education, helping to support young women and girls so they can stay focused on their study and reach their full potential."